Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-26
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 26, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TANK TRUCK OWNERS GO ON INDEFINITE STRIKE
[02] GREECE OFFERS TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW TO TURKEY
[03] BoG GOVERNOR AFFIRMS DRACHMA'S PARITY COURSE
[04] THIEVES HIT "JACKPOT" WITH ELECTRICAL GOODS VAN
[05] LOCAL COURT CLEARS YOUNG SERB ACCUSED OF THEFT
[06] THESSALONIKI, ARMENIAN CITY: FRIENDSHIP ACCORD
[07] DEVELOPMENT MINISTER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO FYROM
[08] DRAFT BILL SUBMITTED ON REMOVAL OF SHIPWRECKS
[09] MINISTERS MEET ON CULTURAL POLICY IN SANTORINI
[10] THE GREEK DEMONSTRATORS WERE NOT STOPPED BY THE CZECH
AUTHORITIES
[11] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS THE FINAL ELECTION RESULTS IN
YUGOSLAVIA
[12] ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN WATER SUPPLY-DRAINAGE COMPANIES
[13] GREEK TRUCK DRIVERS CLASHED WITH AN ALBANIAN COLLEAGUE
[14] MARGINAL GAINS OF 0.05% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[15] MPA PUBLISHED A GUIDE ON BALKAN, BLACK SEA AND EASTERN
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] US EMERGENCY RESERVES RELEASED TO CUT OIL PRICE
[17] F.R.Y. ELECTIONS: HORIZON STILL UNCLEAR OVER WIN
[18[ ANGELOPOULOU: JOINT EFFORT IS NEEDED FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE
ATHENS OLYMPICS
[19] THANOS RANKED FOURTH IN THE GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING
[20] UNDERWATER ANTIQUITIES IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT WILL BE OPEN TO
VISITORS
[21] THE GREATNESS OF THE GREEK SPIRIT IS DISPLAYED IN AN
EXHIBITION OF OLYMPIC STAMPS IN MELBOURNE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TANK TRUCK OWNERS GO ON INDEFINITE STRIKE
An indefinite strike declared yesterday by tanker truck
owners has yet to affect supplies to key industries or services,
according to Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, although
gas station owners have warned that they have fuel only for the
next four days.
Joining Europe's wave of strike action sparked by high oil
prices, the tank truck owners and the truckers' union demand lower
fuel taxes and the reversal of a government decision to deregulate
the tanker truck sector, claiming that this will open the gates of
competition, which means lower prices and improved services.
The strike could seriously disrupt transport and other
services in scenes resembling protests in northern Europe earlier
this month.
The president of the truckers' union George Tsamos stated
today that the drivers intend to blockade the entrance and exit
gates of oil refineries.
Meanwhile, in spite of yesterday's "breather", where oil
dropped to 30 dollars per barrel, concerns are mounting over
inflationary pressures.
Undersecretary of Development Milena Apostolaki is to meet
with sector representatives today in an effort to reach a
gentlemen's agreement on containing oil prices.
Moreover, Mr. Christodoulakis is to meet with officials from
the country's oil companies and refineries where he is expected to
ask that they continue to "freeze" prices for another week, or
else he will impose a ceiling.
[02] GREECE OFFERS TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW TO TURKEY
Confirming Athens's and Ankara's will to promote bilateral
cooperation, Greek and Turkish delegations met in the Greek
capital yesterday to discuss the granting for the granting of
technical know-how to Turkey.
The delegations discussed what has taken place to date within
the framework of the relevant cooperation and its prospects for
further advancement.
Both sides expressed the will to cooperate for the granting
of technical know-how to Turkey through seminars in Greece or in
Turkey, for the training of Turkey's public administration
personnel in the sectors of the economy, customs, foreign
commerce, banks, environment, agriculture, justice and regional
policy and development.
The Greek delegation was headed by the Foreign Ministry's
General Secretary for European Affairs, Ilias Plascovitis, and
that of the Turkish delegation by Assistant Deputy Foreign
Minister Akin Alptuna.
[03] BoG GOVERNOR AFFIRMS DRACHMA'S PARITY COURSE
The governor of the Bank of Greece (BoG) Lukas Papademos has
stated that the national currency's (drachma) parity with the
central euro zone could be adjusted earlier than December, when it
was originally planned. The present variation is a mere .3
percentage points, therefore, any whatsoever adjustment will be
trouble-free.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of an International
Monetary Fund and World Bank conference in Prague, Mr. Papademos
announced that he is monitoring medium-term price movements in
world oil prices to determine the impact of hikes on Greece's
economy.
Moreover, he stated that if the price of oil per barrel
settles at 25-28 dollars per barrel in the mid-term, then the
impact would not be discernible on the economy.
[04] THIEVES HIT "JACKPOT" WITH ELECTRICAL GOODS VAN
A German firm's truck loaded with electrical appliances
worth over 750 million drachmas was stolen from the Renti produce
market in Athens yesterday, as it left unattended by its driver.
The truck's driver, a German national who was transporting
the goods to the unspecified German firm's store in Athens, told
police that he left the vehicle in the area at 9 a.m. and
discovered that it had been stolen when he returned a few hours
later.
The police are conducting an investigation into the theft.
[05] LOCAL COURT CLEARS YOUNG SERB ACCUSED OF THEFT
Thessaloniki's Misdemeanors Court has cleared a Serb student
who was charged with theft two years ago, in an incident where
local police shot and killed his classmate.
Slobodan Masinovic, 20, was acquitted of charges of snatching
a woman's purse while on a school trip to Thessaloniki in October
1998. His classmate, 17-year-old Marko Bulatovic, was shot dead by
a police officer who stopped the students for questioning.
The officer received a suspended sentence for the fatal
shooting. Mr. Masinovic was not present at the court hearing as he
is presently studying in Russia.
[06] THESSALONIKI, ARMENIAN CITY: FRIENDSHIP ACCORD
A friendship and cooperation accord will be signed between
the Municipality of Thessaloniki and Armenia's second largest city
of Kiubri next month, the result of a meting held yesterday
between the city's vice-mayor Th. Athanasaros and Armenian
Ambassador to Athens Armen Perousian.
Following their talks, Mr. Athanasaros stated that the bond
of friendship between the two countries is very strong and
referred to the Armenian community's robust social and cultural
activity in Thessaloniki
[07] DEVELOPMENT MINISTER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO FYROM
Greece's Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis embarked
on an official visit to Skopje today, where he will discuss
bilateral cooperation in the energy sector with the neighboring
country's Prime Minister Liuptco Georgievski and Economy Minister
Borco Adreev,
A meeting between Mr. Christodoulakis and the President of
FYROM Boris Trikovski has not been ruled out, while, according to
unconfirmed reports, the Greek Minister will also partake in a
pricing-policy meeting held by Skopje's refinery OKTA, a majority
stake of which was purchased by Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) last
year.
Following ELPE's strategic investment in OKTA and the
commencement of the Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline construction,
Greece's Kopelouzos-Kontomenas groups have also recently announced
a joint venture in FYROM's energy sector.
Specifically, the Kopelouzos-Kontomenas groups have entered
into an agreement with FYROM's Toplifikacija Ad-Skopje concerning
the construction, proprietorship and operation of a heating and
electricity unit operated by natural gas.
The Greek Minister is accompanied by the Greek Utilities
Company (DEH) executive director Stergios Nezis and other
officials.
[08] DRAFT BILL SUBMITTED ON REMOVAL OF SHIPWRECKS
The Minister of Merchant Marine Christos Papoutsis has
submitted a draft bill in Parliament concerning the removal of
abandoned shipwrecks that litter Greek harbors, canals and straits
and obstruct the passage of ships.
According to the ministry, approximately 260 shipwrecks are
rusting away, fully or partially submerged in water, polluting the
sea with fuel and toxic chemicals. In the country's largest port
of Piraeus alone, there are over fifty wrecks abandoned for
years by shipowners. In most cases, the cost of raising or
removing the wrecks could be much higher than the actual value of
the vessels.
According to the draft bill, state authorities will be able
to act on behalf of shipowners who refuse to pay for the removal
of their wrecks. Furthermore, shipping firms will be obliged to
insure their vessels against the cost of being raised in case of
shipwreck, as well as the cost of any damage that results from the
abandoned wrecks.
[09] MINISTERS MEET ON CULTURAL POLICY IN SANTORINI
The third conference of the International Network of
Ministers for Cultural Policy is to get underway at the island of
Santorini tomorrow, which will be presided over by Greece and will
feature the participation of 24 countries.
The participants will discuss issues pertaining to "Cultural
heritage as a dynamic factor for cultural continuance," "Cultural
identity and diversity as key factors in cultural globalization"
and "Applications of cultural policies at a national level".
The International Network of Ministers for Cultural Policy
functions as an informal forum for the exchange and process of
ideas pertaining to the aforementioned cultural issues.
[10] THE GREEK DEMONSTRATORS WERE NOT STOPPED BY THE CZECH
AUTHORITIES
The information reported by a private television station that
the Czech authorities will stop at the borders the Greek
demonstrators, who are on their way to Prague where the World Bank
and International Monetary Fund hold their meetings, is
groundless.
Thousands of demonstrators from across Europe gather in
Prague to express their opposition to the effects of globalization
and the Czech police has banned the protest rally scheduled for
tomorrow.
It is feared that the strong presence of the Czech police in
combination with the protesters' determination and militancy will
lead to serious incidents.
[11] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS THE FINAL ELECTION RESULTS IN
YUGOSLAVIA
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called on all
sides in Yugoslavia to display caution and calm during the
counting of the votes.
He stated that the Greek government can not make any comments
because the final results are not out yet in Yugoslavia, adding
that Athens will wait for the results that will be announced by
the central electoral committee.
He also expressed the wish for Yugoslavia to get out of the
crisis, adding that what counts is the opinion of the Yugoslav
people.
[12] ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN WATER SUPPLY-DRAINAGE COMPANIES
The formal founding charter for the establishment of the
Association of Balkan Water Supply-Drainage Companies will be
signed in Thessaloniki tomorrow.
The signing ceremony will be attended by minister of
Macedonia-Thrace Giogos Paschalidis as well as by representatives
of the water supply-drainage companies, and the consulate
authorities of FYROM, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.
The goal of the association is the protection and the
rational management of water resources in the participating
countries. The association will be a Thessaloniki-based non
governmental non profit organization and its members will be the
organizations that deal with water supply and drainage issues in
Greece and other Balkan countries.
[13] GREEK TRUCK DRIVERS CLASHED WITH AN ALBANIAN COLLEAGUE
Greek truck drivers clashed with an Albanian colleague a few
kilometers outside Thessaloniki where blockades had been raised by
protesters expressing their opposition to the high fuel prices.
The incident happened when an Albanian driver attempted to
break the blockade. When he was unable to move his truck he took
out an iron bar and attempted to hit the Greek drivers. In the
clash that followed the Albanian was slightly injured.
Blockades have been raised in many parts of the Greek
national road network by truck drivers demanding lower fuel
prices.
[14] MARGINAL GAINS OF 0.05% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Stabilizing tendencies prevailed in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and as a result the general index showed marginal gains of
0.05% reaching 4.153,54 points, while the volume of transactions
was low under the 90 billion drachmas mark confirming the
continuing caution displayed by the investors in spite of the fact
that the catastrophic scenarios over the future of the Athens
Stock Exchange have been overcome.
Of the stocks trading today 123 recorded gains, 221 had
losses and 30 remained unchanged.
[15] MPA PUBLISHED A GUIDE ON BALKAN, BLACK SEA AND EASTERN
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
The guide under the title "The Balkans, Black Sea countries,
Eastern Europe" published by Macedonian Press Agency will be out
in a CD-Rom form next year. The guide's presentation was held in
Thessaloniki's "Ianos" bookstore today by minister of Macedonia-
Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis, MPA general director Spiros
Kouzinopoulos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Law School
professor Pavlos Petridis, Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business
Center representative Pantelis Manis and publisher Nikos Karatzas.
For a second year in a row, "Ianos" publications in
cooperation with Macedonian Press Agency have published a
condensed yet detailed guide on the not so widely known countries
of the Balkan region and the central and eastern Europe. It
includes geographic and historic information on each country, as
well as information on international conflicts in the region, the
political systems, the politicians, their defense situation, their
diplomatic representation, information on the state of their
economy and telephone numbers of businessmen.
The guide is prefaced by minister Paschalidis, Mr.
Kouzinopoulos and Mr. Petridis. The editing was made by historian
Vlasis Vlasidis, while the chapters on defense were written by
journalist Nikos Hatzis.
Minister Paschalidis stated in the presentation that the
guide is very useful, pointing out that all the peoples in the
region need more information in order to know their neighbors
better and develop a better cooperation. He also stated that the
ministry of Macedonia-Thrace has backed this publication which
describes the profile of the peoples in the Balkan and the Black
Sea zone.
MPA general director Mr. Kouzinopoulos pointed out that MPA
started dealing with the developments in the Balkans when it came
to the conclusion that there is a lack of information material on
peoples and situations that have a direct effect on Greece's
course and the Greek businesses. Mr. Kouzinopoulos added that the
guide is published at a time coinciding with the elections in
FYROM and Yugoslavia and it will help the reader to be better
informed.
Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Center representative Mr.
Manis stated that the guide does not include only political data
but economic information as well and it is complementary to
similar publications issued by the center. He concluded by saying
that it is a necessary guide for economic diplomacy and the
diplomatic sector in general.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] US EMERGENCY RESERVES RELEASED TO CUT OIL PRICE
The United States, Japan and the European Central Bank have
intervened to buy billions of euros in an effort to pull the
European currency out of the record lows to which it had recently
dropped, a move that could decrease the inflationary pressures in
Greece.
The Bank of Greece has announced that the current account
deficit for the first half of this year ballooned to 4.6 billion
euros, as opposed to 2.4 billion in the same period last year, of
which 1.6 billion euros went to fuel costs.
Washington's decision to release part of the U.S. emergency
national reserves to slash the price of oil is expected to lead to
a possible stabilization of the euro at around 90 U.S. cents and a
lowering of the price of oil to 30 dollars per barrel.
[17] F.R.Y. ELECTIONS: HORIZON STILL UNCLEAR OVER WIN
Pressures to reveal the result of Sunday's presidential
elections are mounting on the Yugoslav authorities, while several
Western governments are persistently asking incumbent president
Slobodan Milosevic to admit defeat.
No official announcement has been issued by the federal
electoral commission since the polling stations closed on Sunday
night, while both Milosevic officials and the main contender for
the seat (Vojislav Kostunica) are claiming victory, each side
presenting its own interpretation of the poll.
[18[ ANGELOPOULOU: JOINT EFFORT IS NEEDED FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE
ATHENS OLYMPICS
"Athens 2004" organizing committee president Yianna
Angelopoulou-Daskalaki in a meeting she had in Sydney with Greek
journalists stressed that she is impressed by the security
measures in Australia, the fact that there are no traffic jams and
also by the passion and enthusiasm displayed by the volunteers
working for the success of the Olympic Games.
It is truly amazing to watch so many people working with
passion for the success of the Games and not for personal gain,
said Ms Angelopoulou-Daskalaki adding that the big challenge for
Greece is exactly this, namely the institution of volunteerism.
For the moment, about 60.000 people have offered to work as
volunteers but the issue is to be adequately trained in order to
be able to make a significant contribution from the post they will
have.
Ms. Angelopoulou-Daskalaki then sent a message directed
mainly to those who had disagreed with her in the past. She stated
that in order for the Athens Olympic Games to succeed a joint
effort and coordination are needed.
[19] THANOS RANKED FOURTH IN THE GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING
Greek Greco-Roman wrestling champion in the 97kg category
Kostas Thanos fought like a lion but luck was not on his side. He
lost 3-1 defeated by Karet Logney from the United States after an
exciting match.
The bronze medal is a dream that did not come true for Thanos
but the fourth place is indisputably a big success, given the fact
that the Greek champion competed in spite of his two broken ribs.
[20] UNDERWATER ANTIQUITIES IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT WILL BE OPEN TO
VISITORS
Tourists will be able to visit underwater ancient monuments
that were brought to light by the archaeological excavations in
Alexandria, Egypt starting next month.
Archaeologists, who are focusing their research on
Alexandria's past history aspire to create the first underwater
museum. For the moment, divers can visit the ruins of the
Lighthouse of Alexandria that was discovered by French
archaeologist Jean Yves Eberer.
According to scientists, the divers will also be able to
approach the ruins of a building which is believed to be the
palace of Cleopatra.
[21] THE GREATNESS OF THE GREEK SPIRIT IS DISPLAYED IN AN
EXHIBITION OF OLYMPIC STAMPS IN MELBOURNE
The grandeur of the Greek spirit is being displayed through
the exhibition of Olympic stamps under the title "Olympia Olympia"
held in the Master Gallery Hall of Melbourne's Postal Service
Offices.
The exhibition offers a historical retrospection in the
development and the course of the Olympic stamps from the first
Olympic Games in 1896 until today.
Among the exhibits are 19th century photographs as well as
information material on the Olympic Games while, at the same time,
the exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate the joint issuing of
a stamp by the Postal Services of Greece and Australia aimed at
underlining the handing over of the Olympic flag to Athens after
the end of the Olympic Games in Sydney.
|
